E-Paper
US diplomat dies in Pak blast
JUST TWO days before President Bush's visit to Pakistan, a suicide bomber rammed his explosive-laden car into a vehicle carrying an American diplomat, killing him and four others outside the highly guarded US Consulate in Karachi. Over 50 people were also injured in the blast that tore through the parking lot of the luxury Marriott Hotel, near the consulate at around 9 a.m.
JUST TWO days before President Bush's visit to Pakistan, a suicide bomber rammed his explosive-laden car into a vehicle carrying an American diplomat, killing him and four others outside the highly guarded US Consulate in Karachi.
Over 50 people were also injured in the blast that tore through the parking lot of the luxury Marriott Hotel, near the consulate at around 9 a.m.
Bush, who is on a three-day visit to India, said he will go ahead with his trip to Pakistan as scheduled on Saturday. "Terrorists and killers cannot prevent me from going to Pakistan", he said in New Delhi, confirming that one American diplomat was among the dead.
Although no terrorist outfit has taken responsibility for the blast, officials said it was apparently timed to coincide with the American President's visit.
Provincial health minister Shabbir Qaimkhani said that four people, including a woman, were killed in the explosion. A body, charred beyond recognition, found at the site is believed to be that of the suicide bomber.
Earlier the police said two near simultaneous blasts rocked the area. But they later clarified there was only one blast by a suicide bomber.
The blast was so powerful that it caused fire in several parked vehicles whose fuel gas cylinders also exploded. Over 10 cars were destroyed in the attack. According to initial investigations, the suicide attacker deliberately rammed his car into the vehicle carrying the American diplomat.
The Pakistani driver of the car was also killed in the blast. Offering condolences to Bush over the death of an American diplomat, President Musharraf said this would not deter their resolve to fight against "the evil of terrorism".
